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Author Topic:   Georgian Bay - Early Summer Cruise

matthughes posted 06-23-2010 11:34 AM ET (US)
I just wanted to share some photos and experience of a trip I recently went on with a good friend of mine. We took 4 days (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun)to get around as much of Georgian Bay as we could. While we have done a trip similar to this over more time, we were limited to only a few days and had a couple points of interest we wanted to see. Plus with the longest day of the year upon us, we took full advantage of it.
We departed Owen Sound harbour at 3:30AM on Thursday. It is easy cruising -deep water, no shoals, no boat traffic and wide open lines. It was rough for a bit but the wind subsided by the time we got to Lions Head on the west shore. We beached there at 5:00AM for a break for an hour or so. The old lighthouse system still works well there. It got light around Griffith Island and we just followed the lighthouses all the way up to Lions head, bouncing from one to the next about 2-3 miles off shore.
We hit Tobermory at 8AM for breakfast and to gas up, 81 Miles from our departure point. From there it was calm and sunny so we went out to Bears Rump Island, set a course at 53 degrees and made for the Bustards. After 67 miles of cruising, we hit DK1 (almost the widest stretch) on the south east side at high noon. We spent the next 2 nights at the Georgian Bay Fish camp and spent the next day exploring the Bad River, Jamison channel, Dalles rapids, the French River Town site and all the islands we could.
On Saturday AM at 0900 we departed for our next unknown destination. The goal was to make it to Christian Island but it was windy and overcast that day and in a 17ft boat it makes for rough cruising. As it turns out we made it to the same lattitude as 12 Mile bay. We found and island (Tree Island) to camp on with a nice natural harbour for the boat and nice views. We got back on the water early Sunday AM at 0700 and because it was relatively calm and sunny, we headed directly for Owen Sound (about 55 miles away). WE arrived back in OS at 11AM but took our time coming down the bay to enjoy breakfast on the water as we cruised in calm waters back to the car.
We discovered that in GB on a clear day, you can never be out of site of land in the 2 widest stretches. There is alway some sort of land on the horizon which I found interesting.
I've attached some photos of the trip which some might find interesting that have been in that area. Essentially we made a square around the bay.
http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh319/mtylerhughes/
In total we logged 304 Miles and used 45 gallons of gas giving us close to 7 miles per gallon (16'7" hull, 60 Yamaha 4 cycle, ~25 MPH Cruising speed + gear).
Cheers.
Matt

home Aside posted 06-23-2010 12:48 PM ET (US)
Matt,
as always, great photo's and narrative, and beautiful destinations
Pat
GBayWhaler posted 06-24-2010 01:17 PM ET (US)
Matt,
great trip. nice pics. That is pretty agressive taking that trip in a 17'.
I did a similar cruise in '01 on a 22', with 3'+ swells most days. Thanks God for the extra 5' though on that cruise.
Incidentally, you would havr cruised right by my place as we are on the outside of the island where Henry's Fis Restaurant is.
Call, there is always cold beer in the fridge.
Stuart

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Author	Topic: Georgian Bay - Early Summer Cruise
matthughes	posted 06-23-2010 11:34 AM ET (US) I just wanted to share some photos and experience of a trip I recently went on with a good friend of mine. We took 4 days (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun)to get around as much of Georgian Bay as we could. While we have done a trip similar to this over more time, we were limited to only a few days and had a couple points of interest we wanted to see. Plus with the longest day of the year upon us, we took full advantage of it. We departed Owen Sound harbour at 3:30AM on Thursday. It is easy cruising -deep water, no shoals, no boat traffic and wide open lines. It was rough for a bit but the wind subsided by the time we got to Lions Head on the west shore. We beached there at 5:00AM for a break for an hour or so. The old lighthouse system still works well there. It got light around Griffith Island and we just followed the lighthouses all the way up to Lions head, bouncing from one to the next about 2-3 miles off shore. We hit Tobermory at 8AM for breakfast and to gas up, 81 Miles from our departure point. From there it was calm and sunny so we went out to Bears Rump Island, set a course at 53 degrees and made for the Bustards. After 67 miles of cruising, we hit DK1 (almost the widest stretch) on the south east side at high noon. We spent the next 2 nights at the Georgian Bay Fish camp and spent the next day exploring the Bad River, Jamison channel, Dalles rapids, the French River Town site and all the islands we could. On Saturday AM at 0900 we departed for our next unknown destination. The goal was to make it to Christian Island but it was windy and overcast that day and in a 17ft boat it makes for rough cruising. As it turns out we made it to the same lattitude as 12 Mile bay. We found and island (Tree Island) to camp on with a nice natural harbour for the boat and nice views. We got back on the water early Sunday AM at 0700 and because it was relatively calm and sunny, we headed directly for Owen Sound (about 55 miles away). WE arrived back in OS at 11AM but took our time coming down the bay to enjoy breakfast on the water as we cruised in calm waters back to the car. We discovered that in GB on a clear day, you can never be out of site of land in the 2 widest stretches. There is alway some sort of land on the horizon which I found interesting. I've attached some photos of the trip which some might find interesting that have been in that area. Essentially we made a square around the bay. http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh319/mtylerhughes/ In total we logged 304 Miles and used 45 gallons of gas giving us close to 7 miles per gallon (16'7" hull, 60 Yamaha 4 cycle, ~25 MPH Cruising speed + gear). Cheers. Matt
home Aside	posted 06-23-2010 12:48 PM ET (US) Matt, as always, great photo's and narrative, and beautiful destinations Pat
GBayWhaler	posted 06-24-2010 01:17 PM ET (US) Matt, great trip. nice pics. That is pretty agressive taking that trip in a 17'. I did a similar cruise in '01 on a 22', with 3'+ swells most days. Thanks God for the extra 5' though on that cruise. Incidentally, you would havr cruised right by my place as we are on the outside of the island where Henry's Fis Restaurant is. Call, there is always cold beer in the fridge. Stuart